The Philosopher's Stone

"What is this?" Robb asked with curiosity.

Thompson explained softly, "It's an inert energy crystal, a fundamental alchemical material capable of storing and converting elemental energies. Alchemists use it as a core component in devices."

Examining the crystal, Robb sensed subtle energy rippling through its core.

"For beginners, this crystal is a perfect tool for practicing elemental manipulation," Thompson continued.

"It visually reflects whether your energy control is precise."

Robb channeled his mental energy into the crystal; its purple glow intensified, and it began to tremble.

"Excellent control," Thompson praised. "Now try directing that energy in a spiral, visualize it forming a vortex inside."

With his eyes closed, Robb guided the energy, and spiral patterns formed:

[Alchemy EXP +1]

"Outstanding," Thompson smiled. "You have excellent spiritual control, and you're already a skilled potion master, so…"

He hesitated briefly, as if to share secret knowledge, then carried on.

"This crystal is useful, but only the foundation. The ultimate goal of alchemy is the Philosopher's Stone, the dream of all alchemists. It supposedly creates whatever you desire, even what shouldn't exist."

Robb's eyes widened. "Does something like that truly exist?"

"That mystery has tormented alchemists for ages," Thompson replied thoughtfully. "Some say it's mythical, others swear they glimpsed it, and a few think it's not a material but a state of being."

He produced a copy of an ancient text, the Jade Records, showing an intricate circular diagram: a red crystal in the center, surrounded by runes.

"Philosopher's Stone is neither stone nor object; born from nothing, dies in reality. It is the origin of all things and the return of all ends. Its wielder can rewrite reality; seekers may gain eternal wisdom, or descend into madness."

Closing the book, Thompson locked eyes with Robb: "Legend says it turns base metal into gold, cures all diseases, grants immortality. But most alchemists believe its true power is to transcend reality and void, creating miracles that never should have been."

He quietly warned, "Yet every account of seekers ends in terrible price, those who touched its secrets often lost their minds or vanished from history."

Robb reflected, "Sounds like extreme mental contamination…"

"Sharp insight," Thompson nodded. "Some scholars speculate the Stone is tied to ancient chaos gods, facing those ends can break your mind."

He returned the manuscript to the shelf and concluded calmly:

"For beginners, mastering basic alchemy suffices. As for the Stone… even Grand Overlords rarely reach it. Better to wait until you're a professional."

After thirty more minutes of guidance, Robb gained deeper understanding of alchemy. Yet the legend's dark weight stirred a chill in him.

Next came the Elemental Affinity class, a sharp contrast to alchemy but equally engaging.

Inside a round chamber, walls bore complex elemental runes. In the center sat a glowing pool of elemental energy.

Instructor Lyra, a poised High Apprentice, dressed in dark gray robes embroidered with silver. Her long hair framed a staff topped with a pale sapphire.

"Elemental affinity is the foundation for every wizard," she said with a voice like gentle breeze. "No matter your path, understanding the essence of the elements will benefit you for life."

Her lesson introduced basic properties of fire, water, earth, wind, light, and darkness through demonstrations from the elemental pool.

"Close your eyes and feel the ambient elemental fluctuations." She guided: "Each element vibrates at its unique frequency, learning to distinguish them is the first step."

Robb closed his eyes, mentally sensing chaotic waves gradually refining into discernible patterns, the fiery heat, flowing water, earthen solidity, airy lightness...

[New Skill: Elemental Perception (Novice)[

[Elemental Perception EXP +1]

Lyra continued, "Everyone naturally gravitates toward certain elements. Find your most resonant one, that's where your potential lies."

In practice, Robb effortlessly channeled both flame and light elements. Small red and gold motes danced at his fingertips.

"Interesting…" Lyra's voice held surprise. "Besides fire, you have strong affinity for light, rare. Light-born often come from special lineages. Your family background?"

"I'm from a knightly family in the kingdom of Farwynd," Robb replied. "As far as I know, we had no special light-blood heritage."

Lyra nodded without surprise: "Bloodline mysteries can skip generations. Keep practicing, your talent is exceptional."

After class, Robb pondered Lyra's insight. His light-element affinity might connect to the Lightlord Dragon and the unfinished blessings Andrey mentioned.

He went to the library, scanned catalogues for "supernatural bloodlines" and "exotic career classes." Guided by glowing runes, he entered the section on racial magic and bloodline research.

He found four key texts:

Compendium of Supernatural Bloodlines

Racial Magic Careers Explained

Origins of the Dragonborn

Ancient Bloodlines and Modern Mutations

In a quiet corner, he read.

Racial Magic Careers Explained documented innate talents and career paths:

Beastfolk as "Weapon Masters" skilled with diverse arms; Wood Elves as "Nature Priests," with elemental and flora spells; Dwarven "Rune Forgebinders" who create durable magical items; Merfolk "Tide Singers" manipulating water and storms...

From Compendium of Supernatural Bloodlines he learned about the six-tier bloodline hierarchy, named after metals and celestial bodies:

Copper (minor boosts: night vision, cold resilience)

Silver (elemental affinity, animal communication)

Gold (elemental control, transformation)

Star (time sense, prophecy)

Moon (reality-warping)

Sun (legendary, universe-altering power)

He read that even knighthood families rarely achieved Gold-tier; only ancient methods or rituals could preserve such purity.

Dragons stood out as the purest lineage. Ancient dragons held Moon-tier, even Sun-tier blood. Dragonborns (dragon-human descendants) wield strong elemental affinity, physical upgrades, and long lifespans. By the Third Era, pure dragon stock nearly vanished; most Dragonborn today had diluted bloodlines reaching Silver or lesser Gold, drastically distant from ancient suns.

He discovered bloodline regression rituals, dangerous ceremonies aiming to restore diluted lineages to their original strength. Success was rare but transformative.

By the close, Robb understood supernatural bloodlines better and realized combining wizard versatility with focused bloodline activation might be the optimal path.

He returned to the workshop late at night. Valenwood greeted him at the door, her tendrils dancing more expressively.

"Welcome home, Master."

Now she didn't need to spell words, she could imprint them directly on her leaves.

"Something's changed," Robb said cautiously. The tendrils moved as she responded: "I feel… clearer. My thoughts are more coherent, it's wonderful."

"Excellent," Robb smiled. He was glad by her transformation.

Inside, on the table lay his freshly prepared Solar Blaze Essence, enhanced with extra Sunlight Lily extracts to better activate solar energy.

"The moment has come," he murmured, lifting the golden-glowing vial and drinking it.

Instantly, scorching energy surged through him, like molten sunlight racing through his veins. Every meridian, muscle, and nerve came alive with warmth.

"This is... stronger than expected!"

He sat in meditation, applying the Solar Breath:

Inhale: solar energy drawn to center

Hold: flows through meridians

Exhale: clears impurities

His senses sharpened to perceive blood flow and meridians with near-visual clarity. Ancient latent power, deep within his genes, stirred awake, responding to his call.

[Breath Training EXP +1]

[Breath Training (Novice 100/100 → Breath Training (Adept, MAX)]